The elections in Québec has everyone wondering if the online casino market will be open for business. A privately operated marketplace could generate tons of revenue for the province, but it would also require regulatory guidance.
Canadians in Ontario and Alberta have made it clear that online gambling is not only popular but also profitable. But legally speaking, things would have to change drastically in Quebec if anything were to happen. Plus, the province would have to clear a few hurdles prior to launching its own market.
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Political Support for Online Gambling
There’s no urgency for authorities to legalize and regulate online gambling at the moment, but support is gaining momentum. In September, the Quebec Liberal Party expressed a willingness to recognize and regulate private online gaming platforms. A spokesperson for the Quebec Online Gaming Coalition expressed gratitude that “the election campaign is providing an opportunity to discuss the modernization of the regulatory framework” for online gaming.
This is welcome news for online gaming enthusiasts. Establishing a private marketplace would create jobs, improve the overall experience, and help online gambling go mainstream.
Ultimately, a new consensus is emerging in support of legalized gambling via the internet in Quebec. In fact, many Canadian players in the province have explored alternative offshore gaming platforms for years. Only a fraction of the market has stayed put.
Major Hurdles Moving Forward
For the best online casinos in Canada to become legal, many changes and concessions would have to be made. The province would need to establish an updated regulatory framework and appoint stakeholders to help guide the implementation of legal online gambling.
The Biggest Hurdle: Loto-Québec
But the biggest hurdle is Loto-Québec, the government-controlled gambling corporation that operates in the province. Loto-Québec generates a lot of revenue, so resistance to private gaming expansion is natural.
- Name: Loto-Québec
- Type: Crown corporation (government-owned)
- Owner: Québec Provincial Government
- Core Business: Lottery, casinos, online gambling
- Role: Sole gaming operator and regulator in Québec
Loto-Québec currently controls the market. Competition would greatly limit its authority and capacity to generate revenue from online gaming. But then again, allowing private casinos to operate could greatly improve overall market performance.
Political Stagnation
It’s very encouraging to know that the Quebec Liberal Party supports privatized online gaming. But when an election ends, new political priorities often emerge. Online gambling hasn’t always been a top issue for policymakers in Québec.
What Québec Can Learn From Ontario
The proliferation of Ontario casinos online wasn’t an accident. The province has its own legal model for privatized online gaming, which many people would consider to be a success. That said, Québec could learn a lot by studying how Ontario operates.
Here are the main considerations for Québec:
- Market Structure: Offer a competitive licensing process for private casino operators.
- Competition: Allow consumers to choose between the best casino options.
- Player Retention: Reduce the number of players who migrate offshore.
- Tax Revenue: Capitalize on 20-25% of the market.
In Québec, privatization would allow the overall online gaming quality (and revenue that it generates) to skyrocket. It would help balance the marketplace, but again, a change like this would require a major commitment from the Québec provincial government.
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